Harry stood in an empty classroom, wand clenched tightly in his hand.
"Alright," he muttered, "again."
Beside him, Neville Longbottom nodded nervously, adjusting his grip. "R-right."
Ron Weasley leaned against a desk, eating a chocolate frog.
"I still don't see why you're practicing," Ron said casually. "You survived You-Know-Who as a baby."
Harry sighed. "That doesn't mean I know spells."
They tried again.
Harry focused hard. Neville followed carefully, repeating the motion exactly as taught.
Ron raised his wand.
"Okay, so I just flick it like—"
BANG.
Smoke exploded from Ron's wand, blasting soot across the room.
Neville yelped.
Harry coughed.
Ron blinked. "…Huh."
Minutes later, Professor Snape stormed past the corridor outside, paused, then turned sharply.
"What," Snape snarled, "is that smell?"
Ron beamed proudly.
Later that evening, the rumor spread.
Ron Weasley had somehow managed to give Professor Snape a headache.
Ron told everyone.
"I didn't even mean to," he bragged loudly at dinner. "Just natural talent, really."
Snape took five points from Gryffindor out of spite.
Worth it, according to Ron.
🛡️ Defence Against the Dark Arts (Or Whatever This Is)
Lucien's first Defence Against the Dark Arts class was… disappointing.
Hufflepuff and Slytherin shared the lesson, and Lucien entered calmly, Alolan Vulpix trotting beside him.
"Lucien," Daphne Greengrass greeted softly.
"Good afternoon," Cassandra Vole said with a polite nod.
"…Hi," Evelyne Malfoy added quietly, clearly proud she managed to say it without running away.
Lucien smiled at all three and took a seat beside them.
Akeno and Susan sat just behind him.
The professor began reading.
And kept reading.
And kept reading.
Lucien listened for a full five minutes.
Then sighed internally.
This is going to be one of those classes.
By the time the professor started rereading the same paragraph for the third time, Lucien gave up.
He rested his cheek against his hand.
Then slowly… fell asleep.
Alolan Vulpix immediately curled up against his side, also sleeping.
Peacefully.
Adorably.
Daphne noticed first.
She froze.
"…Is he sleeping?"
Susan peeked. "…He is."
Cassandra leaned closer, eyes softening. "That's… unfairly cute."
Evelyne glanced at him—and immediately looked away, cheeks pink.
Lucien slept calmly, long crimson hair falling loosely around his face, expression completely relaxed.
Vulpix twitched her ears in her sleep.
They looked exactly alike.
Daphne swallowed.
Susan smiled.
Cassandra rested her chin on her hand.
Evelyne clutched her book a little tighter.
How is that even legal? Susan thought.
No one woke him.
No one dared.
And for once, Defence Against the Dark Arts was peaceful.